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10 The Wojski (tribunus) was once an officer charged with the

protection of the wives and children of the gentry during the

time of service of the general militia. But this office without

duties long ago became merely titular. In Lithuania there is a

custom of giving by courtesy to respected persons some ancient

title, which becomes legalised by usage. For instance, the

neighbours call one of their friends Quartermaster, Pantler, or

Cup-bearer, at first only in conversation and in correspondence,

but later even in official documents. The Russian government has

forbidden such titles, and would like to cover them with ridicule

and to introduce in their place the system of titles based on the

ranks in its own hierarchy, to which the Lithuanians still have

great repugnance. [The present translator has followed

Ostrowski's example in rendering wojski as seneschal, "ne pouvant

mieux faire."]

11 [See p. 334 and note 176.]